"We know that they have fired at least one missile in retaliation," Director of the Joint Staff Lieutenant General Douglas Sims told journalists, adding that it did not hit any ships.

The United States and Britain targeted nearly 30 locations using more than 150 munitions, Sims said, updating earlier figures.

The Huthis have carried out a growing number of drone and missile strikes on the key international shipping route through the Red Sea since the Gaza war erupted with Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel.

The rebels -- who say they are acting in response to Israel's military assault on Gaza -- have controlled a major part of Yemen since civil war erupted there in 2014, and are part of the Iran-backed so-called "axis of resistance" arrayed against Israel.